Map of England showing where the Sipe arms are recorded
The Sipe arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Sipe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Hereford.
Origin & History of the Sipe Family in England
The family name Sipe has roots that trace back to the rolling landscapes of Hereford, England, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in rural parishes, where they likely worked as skilled tradespeople or farmers contributing to the local economy. As the seventeenth century progressed, the name began to appear more frequently in regional administrative records, suggesting that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of the English countryside. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved as it was recorded by various clerks and officials, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in early modern England. By the mid-1600s, the family had begun to expand beyond their original home, carrying their history and traditions into new territories as they sought out fresh opportunities for growth and settlement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sip
A Middle English term referring to a small stream or ditch.
This name
SipeA topographic name for someone who lived near a small stream or drainage ditch.
also spelled
Skip
Skyp
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Herefordshire Archives, Hereford Parish Registers: Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1600–1650
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
